I don't think I am the only one who throughout grade school and high school wondered why taking English class was required. I thought since I already was fluent in the language, what was the point? I have finally come to realize the importance of taking these classes.
First off, it's important to be able to write with correct grammar. In this post, you could nit-pick a few mistakes here and there, however for the most part I am able to convey a message clearly. This is due to the many English classes I have taken. Being able to use correct grammar is important when looking for a job . If an employee turns in a resume, or has to show in writing why he/she should get the job, and the grammar is awful, it will look bad for the employee. I'm not claiming it will always be the difference from being hired or not, but it could change the employer's first impression of you.
Secondly, it is important to be able to convey ideas in writing. Many careers require communication in the form of writing. For example you could be required to publishing a paper on research findings, or just write a email to a boss. It is important to be able to effectively convey your message in these instances.
These are just a few reasons why I am glad I have taken so many years of English classes (even if I wasn't given an option). Are there any other instances that English classes can benefit you in the future?
I believe that taking English classes is essential to communication between individuals. However, I think this is also limited to how much we can truly learn in the classroom setting. We read an article in class that the English language is constantly changing in social contexts. For example, the meaning of irony has changed to something being funny. Therefore, in cases like this, much of the learning of the English language comes from interactions with various people and our interactions with the environment. It becomes difficult to teach proper English in a classroom as it becomes almost obsolete. Learning is a combination of what we learn in the classroom as well as our surroundings.
ReplyDeleteI have also wondered why we take so much English in school if we already speak it fluently. Do speakers of other languages take those languages in school as well, like we take English? I think it is important that we continue to take English classes because, just like with anything, there is more to know, and the greater our knowledge of it the better we can use it.
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